HVP Rolling Recalls Begin as Officials Track Salmonella Tainted Ingredient
A large rolling recall of a variety of food products is likely to occur over the next few weeks once public health officials and manufacturers sort out the widespread use of a flavor enhancer recalled by a Las Vegas company.
The Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in processing equipment at the company, Basic Food Flavors Inc., after a customer discovered the same type of bacteria in a batch of hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP.
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The sequence led to a recall of HVP by Basic Food Flavors that covers all powder and paste forms of HVP that the company has produced since September 17. The number of food products made with the recalled ingredient is potentially in the thousands.
Already, at least 11 recalls of products containing Basic Food HVP have been recalled and the FDA has established a Salmonella Tennessee recall website for consumers to keep track of which foods are being recalled.
The top official at FDA, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, says the problem was caught before any outbreak of illness. Still, FDA experts advise anyone with symptoms of Salmonella infection to see a doctor and be tested for Salmonellosis.
HVP is not always listed in the ingredient panel of foods, but it is common in small amounts in soups, sauces, chillis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, dips and dressings. Government officials are advising manufacturers on whether recalls of products containing the recalled ingredient are recommended.
Processed foods that go through a "kill step,'' such as high heat, might not have to be recalled.
Dr. Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection at FDA, told MSNBC that officials don't know how big the recall will get. "We expect this to get larger over the next several days to several weeks,'' Farrar said.
